2015 Intro: Jordan Stevenson

Benjamin Worgull

07/04/2015

With the University of Wisconsin welcoming its 2015 recruiting class to campus this week, BadgerNation looks at the new Badgers joining the program, like Dallas South Oak Cliff running back Jordan Stevenson

Commitment Date: 12/11/14

Accolades: Jordan Stevenson attended Dallas South Oak Cliff High School … ranked as the No. 4 running back in Texas, No. 4 in the Midlands and No. 12 in the country by Scout.com … ranked as the No. 82 overall prospect in the Scout 300 … second-team all-state selection by the Associated Press as a senior … posted 12 100-yard games while averaging 180.7 rushing yards per game and 9.8 yards per carry as a senior, finishing with 2,530 yards and 28 touchdowns … also rushed for 2,020 yards and 17 TDs as a junior in 2013, averaging 155.4 yards per game and 9.3 yards per carry … finished varsity career with 4,991 yards of total offense (4,550 rushing and 441 receiving) and 53 total touchdowns.

Why Wisconsin? “I really had to let the process work itself out and has been a lot of stress on me the past couple of months. I was really ready to turn over to God and believe he would lead me into the right direction where it is best for me. Things were starting to decrease with Texas the past couple of months. I felt like the time was right and had the strength to go ahead and follow my heart.

“(Wisconsin) is just a family atmosphere and my major is high at the University of Wisconsin. It is political science and graphic arts and design and everything is together. They love their running backs and I can see myself getting my degree in four years and pursing a great career. They will give me the skills to be a great young man.”

Scouting Report: We knew heading into the season that Stevenson was one of the most dangerous weapons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but what we quickly found out was that he was also one of the toughest and hardest of the Texas running backs in the 2015 recruiting class. Stevenson has a slash-and-go-type style, but because of his quick feet, vision and lower-body strength, he is one of the toughest runners for defenders to bring down. He is very elusive but not afraid of contact. As a matter of fact, his running style is very physical, especially at the point of contact. He accelerates to the would-be tackler, bringing the hits right to them, allowing him to churn up extra yardage. He is determined and tough to bring down on first contact.

BadgerNation Prediction: Stevenson is a tremendous addition to the Wisconsin running back group, especially since he committed to the program one day after Gary Andersen resigned for the Oregon State coaching vacancy. It doesn’t happen often that an elite recruit commits to a program without a head coach, but Stevenson is not your normal elite recruit. Incredibly humble and passionate about football, Stevenson plays much bigger than his small stature by being a physical runner who is tough to stop. He has a chance to make an impact right away as a true freshman if he gets here by fall camp, which head coach Paul Chryst is expecting.